Vermont trip help

OK...Idyletime Brewpub, Doc Ponds and The Bench taprooms; and Trapp Brewery/Deli/Taproom - all in Stowe.

 

re: things selling out right away. Perhaps me and my friend got lucky late January, perhaps the hype train has no conducter, but we had zero issues getting or being able to get (had we had a bigger car, check-in allowance etc): 1 case each of Heady with less than 10 people in line when we showed up 20 minutes early, 4>6 4packs each of SoS with maybe 10 minutes of walking in Montpelier, unlimited Super Session, zero lines at Hill Farmstead twice in one week, something crazy like 8 different limited bottles to purchase at HF, a small line for Triple Sunshine, no waits at any bar other than Pro Pig on a Friday.

I mean really I keep hearing how crazy it is in Vermont, but was really happy with how chill it was, and how utterly mind-blowing the beer is. Happy times

p.s. it was pretty awesome when the dudes sitting in their van trying to sell/trade off Trilium missed the Triple Sunshine launch! Pretty sure they still got some, but it was funny to see them run inside the CoOp from their cozy warm van.

 

Always a fraught question and, for me, it depends on what day and what time of day. If you come down 89, stop in Waterbury, for sure. But, if you come down 91, you'll pass Marché du Village at the intersection of 10 and 235 in Ange-Gardien and then you'll go right past the exit for Hill Farmstead.

 

Thanks for the help.

We're going to spend a night in Waterbury, and it ends up we're going in April after all so I have less time to wait.

Should be a fun stop. As a complete west coaster, I'm larger unfamiliar with the New England offerings just because none of them make to the west coast Canada, and few of them make it to Washington either it seems.

 

I have a more specific request. I'm flying from France to Montreal for a conference in late August, and I'm considering driving to Vermont for a couple of days, sightseeing and beertouring. So no growlers or bottles, I'd prefer to bring back cans on the plane (less chance of damage). Which would be the best places to hit ? I don't mind if it's stores instead of breweries. Thanks.

 

The Burlington area is about a 2 hour drive from Montréal and you should be able to pick up a variety of tasty beverages in cans at Beverage Warehouse in Winooski. Note that there's an 8.5 liter duty-free allowance crossing back into Québec which is, what? about 18 16oz. cans?

 

Thanks ! 8 kg of beer should be more than enough for my luggage.